Over the years, many beloved characters have changed a lot — from their early days on TV or in games to how we see them now. Artist Richietoons brings these changes to life by showing how famous characters like Woody Woodpecker, Mario, Sonic, and Tom and Jerry have evolved through time.

This collection highlights the fun journey of these icons, reminding us how their designs reflect different eras and styles. It’s a cool way to see how characters grow and stay fresh while still keeping the charm we all love.

More info: Instagram

#1

"Donald Fauntleroy Duck Meets Donald"

Donald Duck evolution art showing beloved characters transformed from early black and white to modern colorful animation style.

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B
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arthritic knees actually disappeared with age. Mad skills.

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    #2

    "Porky Pig; 89 Years And That's Not All Folks"

    Split image showing the evolution of beloved characters with Porky Pig in classic black and white and modern colorful style.

    richietoons Report

    #3

    "Droopy: Always Happy Through Time"

    Two beloved characters side by side holding a sign, showcasing character evolution over time in animation.

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    BewilderedBanana
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Droopy is my spirit animal... i much prefer the earlier versions.

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    #4

    "Dippy Wang Meets Goofy"

    Classic and modern versions of beloved characters shown side by side, highlighting their evolution over time.

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    RamiRudolph
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dippy Wáng? Wasn't his name Dippy Dawg?

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    #6

    "Pluto Meets Pluto"

    Pluto shown in two styles side by side, illustrating beloved characters evolving over time with vibrant and classic animation.

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    #7

    "Popeye; Before And After"

    Popeye character evolution showing original black-and-white sketch versus modern colorful cartoon style.

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    Firstname Lastname
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All these years, and it still looks like he got stabbed in his cheek with his pipe to me.

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    #8

    "Sonic Through Time (33 Years)"

    Sonic the Hedgehog character evolution showing classic and modern designs shaking hands in vibrant backgrounds.

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    B
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    33 years? Lies! I played Sonic 1 when it was released not so long ago. Not long at all... /sigh

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    #9

    "Woody Woodpecker 1940-2024"

    Two versions of Woody Woodpecker cartoon character celebrating 84th anniversary of the beloved character's evolution over time.

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    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was an intermediate version between the "old" and the "new" that I grew up with in 50s and 60s comic books. The "new" one really annoyed me when it first appeared.

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    #10

    "Tom And Jerry; The Passing Of The Years (1940 - 2024)"

    Tom and Jerry evolution illustration showing the transformation of beloved characters in classic and modern cartoon styles.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There were some terrible incarnations over the last 20 years or so - that current one is nothing like as bad as some of them.

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    #11

    "Mario Meeting Mario"

    Split image showing the evolution of beloved characters featuring classic pixel art and modern detailed rendering of Mario.

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    #12

    "Horace Meets Horace"

    Goofy character shown in vintage black and white style with colorful modern cowboy outfit, illustrating character evolution over time.

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    Jaya
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never knew they were the same character!

    #13

    "Goofy Jr (1951) vs. Max Goof (1995)"

    Classic and modern cartoon characters shown side by side illustrating beloved character evolution over time.

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    Asher Tye
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I honestly thoguht they were the same character, Max was just also Goofy's real name.

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    #14

    "90th Anniversary Tribute To Donald"

    Donald Duck holding a birthday cake in front of a mirror showing his original black and white character drawing evolution.

    richietoons Report

    #15

    "Donkey Kong, Pauline And Mario From 1983 Until Now"

    Beloved characters Mario, Donkey Kong, and Pauline shown in their original and evolved cartoon styles side by side.

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    AuspiciousTree283
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    DK recently reverted back to his original design since the Mario Bros movie.

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    #16

    "Pete's 100th Anniversary, 1925 - 2025, As A Fun Fact; In His First Design He Was A Bear"

    Beloved characters evolution showing old black and white style transforming into modern colorful cartoon design.

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    #17

    "Gyro Gearloose Before And After"

    Split image of a beloved cartoon duck character in two different art styles showing character evolution over time.

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    RamiRudolph
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, the right one is just the one design in the new DuckTales show. He still looks much more like the left one in the comics.

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    #18

    "From Mr. Slicker To Mortimer Mouse"

    Classic and modern versions of a beloved animated character side by side, showing how characters have evolved over time.

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    TotallyNOTAFox
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mortimer was the original name meant for Mickey, though Walt's wife Lillian thought the name was too pompous

    #19

    "Alvin And The Chipmunkverse"

    Classic and modern versions of beloved animated characters shown side by side to highlight how characters have evolved over time.

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    #20

    "Peg Leg Pete Meets Pete"

    Split image showing the evolution of a beloved cartoon character from early black and white style to modern colorful animation.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like he regenerated one leg and lost the other.

    #21

    "Clarabelle Meets Clarabelle"

    Vintage and modern versions of Clarabelle Cow side by side, illustrating beloved character evolution over time by an artist.

    richietoons Report

    DC
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This does look a little kinky, eh?

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    #22

    "Baloo; From The Jungle Book (1967) To Talespin (1990)"

    Split image showing the evolution of beloved characters Baloo and Mowgli with updated animation styles over time.

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    RamiRudolph
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not really an evolution, more like a spin off.

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    #23

    "Oswald And Oswald"

    Vintage and modern versions of a beloved cartoon rabbit shown side by side, illustrating character evolution over time.

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    Sharon Kapon
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    New Oswald has nothing to do with the old one

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    #24

    "Genie Meets Genie (With All Due Respect To The Memory Of Robin Williams)"

    Blue genie character showing evolution with split image of two animation styles, illustrating beloved characters evolving over time.

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